Updated: 01/08/2013 20:51

Six year jail sentence and 16 strokes of cane for robbing two pregnant women

®Copyright MediaCorp

A man has been sentenced to six years' jail and 16 strokes of the cane for robbing two pregnant women.

26-year-old Muhammad Noh Mohammad Jais had snatched 29-year-old Chng Seok Keng's handbag at a lift lobby in Simei Street in mid-November last year in the afternoon.

The victim was nine months pregnant at that time.

Also in the same month, Muhammad Noh attempted to rob another pregnant woman - Ms Baquiran Majella Cybelle Fernandez, 34.

She was eight months pregnant then.

The incident took place in a lift at Tampines.

Muhammad Nor grabbed the handbag with one hand and punched the victim in the head and shoulder with the other hand.

The victim had earlier withdrawn $3,000 at an ATM so she resisted and held on to her bag.

After a fruitless struggle, the accused fled but was caught subsequently.